Attachment for calculating machines



Aug. 11, 1931. v E; BRIT'TEN, RI 1, ,9 6

ATTACHMENT FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Filed April 1, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q INVENTORS 8M $43M 'Cu/ 6W Aug. 11, 1931. E. F. BRITTEN, JR., ET AL 1,317,916

ATTACHMENT FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Filed April 1. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS W ffi zm w. Lu /P- 45 W 4% 4M I m ATTORNEY.

Aug. 11, 1931. E. F. BRITTEN, JR, ET AL 1,837,915 I ATTACHMENT FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Fild April 1, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 r p INVENTORS a2 Wa /5WD, v.

% W QM $6M ATTORNEY.

atented Aug. 11,1931

STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN F. BRITTEN, JR., OF MAPLEWOOD, AND LEE R. BROWN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO MONROE CALCULATING MACHINE COMPANY, ORANGE. NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ATTACHMENT FOR CALCULATING MACHINES Application filed April 1, 1929. Serial 1%. 351,541.

10 front feet and their attaching means for cooperation with locking means for securing the ,front of the machine in the carrying case.

A calculating machine also includes a protective covering or casing including I a base 15 plate, and the present invention contemplates the utilizing of the base plate as a means with which to associate a rear locking device for securing the rear of the carrying case.

Besides the objects above pointed out, it is the aim of the present invention to construct locking means which consists largely of simple stamped parts, and which are secured in the carrying case in such a manner that they may be readily removed leaving the case practically 11 injured so that it may be utilized for other pfii'poses.

The i vention as herein shown is especially adapted for securing a portable calculating machine of the well-known Monroe type in a carrying case, but it is to be understood that with slight and obvious variations it could be utilized for various other types of machines.

With the above objects, and others which will become apparent as the specification proceeds, in view, the invention resides in certain novel construction and combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a carrying case illustrating the invention and showing the cover lifted.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the elements of the invention and showing the relationship of the same to the base of the calculating machine.

the machine in place in Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail sectional view online 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially on line H of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of one of the locking .devices in releasingposition.

Like characters of reference refer to like parts in all views.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 represents the side frame members of the calculating machine, the position which they occupy being indicated by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 1, and a fragment of a frame member itselfbeing shown in Fig. 4. As seen in Fig. 4, each frame member 10 is formed with a downwardly projecting portion 11 having an inclined lower face against which a washer 12 bears, the washer 12 and a rubber element 13 together forming a front foot for the machine and being secured to the portion 11 by a screw 14 or other suitable means. It will, of course, be understood that the machine has two such front feet, one near either side of the machine and secured to respective frame members 10.

Secured to the frame members 10 is a base plate 15 preferably of sheet metal and formed with apertures 16 near the front to permit passage of the portions 11 of the side frames. The plate 15 is also provided with an oblong aperture 17 for permitting passage of securing elements which will presently be set forth in detail. There are also rear apertures 18 near the sides of plate 15 for accommodating foldable rear legs, but as this does not directly affect the present invention, this matter will not be discussed in detail.

Turning now to the carrying case per se, the same consists of bottom and top members 19 and 20 which are hinged as at 21. The members 19 and 20- are fitted with suitable cooperative latching or look elements 22 and 23, and the top is fitted interiorly with adjustable straps 24 for carrying record sheets, instruction book, or like material.

Secured to the inside of the bottom member 19 are two retainers each of which consists of a plate 25 bent upwardly at 26 and then diagonally at 27 so as to engage the top of a respective washer 12. The diagonal portion 27 of each retainer has its front edge formed with a slot 28 for engaging the portion 11 of the respective side frame member, the slot 28 having a V-shaped entrance 29 for guiding the portion 11 into slot 28. Slots 28 are a snug fit for portions 11 so as to prevent lateral displacement of the front of the machine when engaged therewith, and the diagonal elements 27 cooperate with the front feet to prevent any up and down movement of the front of the machine relative to the member 19. The two retainers are spaced apart the proper distance to engage elements 11 of the respective side frame members 10 0f the machine, and each is secured in place bv. a single screw 30, the rear edge of each plate 25 being formed with two toes or tangs 31 which press into the surface of the mem ber 19 to prevent turning or twisting of the retainers. I

The securing means for the rear end of the machine includes a plate 32 secured to member 19 by screws 33 or other suitable means, and formed with an upright spring-finger 34 and a pair of upright guide fingers 35. The guide fingers have their upper ends formed pointed and bent inwardly so as to enter the aperture 17 in base plate 15 and guide the latter to proper position. The lower portions of fingers 35 are spaced apart a distance substantially the same as the length of slot 17 and the lower portions of the fingers are substantially the same width as the slot 17, so that when the base plate is forced down on fingers 35, the machine is held or secured against front-to-rear or sidewise movements.

Fivoted on a shoulder pin 36 secured to the plate 32 is a locking lever 37, one end of which extends beyond the position assumed by the base plate 15 and is formed into a finger piece 38. The other arm of the lever is formed with a slot 39 embracing a pin 40 secured in the plate 32. A spring 41 secured to the finger 34 at one end and at the other to an ear 42 on lever 37 tends con stantly to turn the lever 37 counter-clockwise,

the amount of movement of lever 37 relative to the plate 32 being limited by pin 40. Bent up from the sides of the inner end of lever 37 are two hook elements 43, which, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, are adapted to enter the oblong slot 17 of the base plate 15 and engage the base plate at the front edge of aperture 17, so as to lock the rear end of the machine to the case member 19. Rubber supports 44, Fig. 3, are molded into the base plate 15 or otherwise secured thereto and hold the plate against the engaging hooks 43 when the machine is secured in place.

When it is desired to secure the calculating machine in the carrying case, the elements 11 are first entered into the slots 28 of the front retaining members. When these elements are fully engaged, the oblong aperture 17 will be in registry with the upright guide fingers 35. Now pressing down the rear end of the machine, and if desired, turning lever 37 slightly clockwise, the base 15 travels down, guided by fingers 35, until the base 15 is below the engaging elements of the hooks. 43, and feet 44 are firmly pressed against the case 19. Spring 41 is now permitted to move the hooks 43 into engagement with the upper surface of the base plate 15, and the machine is securely locked in place. The elements 11 and 15 cooperate with elements 27 and 35, respectively to prevent lateral and fronttorear movement of the machine relative to case member 19; and the elements 12 and 15 cooperate with elements 27 and 43 to prevent an vertical movement of the machine with re ation to case member 19. To remove the machine from the carrying case, it is only necessary to press forward on finger piece 38 to release the base from hooks 43, then lift the rear of the machine and slide it slightly forward.

It will also be noted that the engaging means are secured to the member 19 by four screws and that upon removing these, the case is substantially uninjured and may be used for any other desired purpose.

While there has been described what is thought to be the most desirable embodiment of the invention, it is obvious that many of the details could be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the invention is therefore not limited to the exact details herein described but is limited only by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Securing means for a calcul tin machine having a base plate formed with an aperture, comprising a supporting member and means secured to said member and including locking and guiding elements adapted to enter said aperture and to cooperate with said base plate for securing the same to said member and for preventing lateral shifting of said base plate relative to said mem- 2. A locking and securing device comprising a plate formed with securing elements, a lever pivoted to said plate and formed with 21 slot and with a locking element, a pin secured to said plate and extended into said slot, and a spring interposed between said plate and said lever.

3. A locking and securing device com rising a plate formed with securing fingers aving tapered and bent ends, a lever pivoted on said plate and formed with a manipulative element and locking elements and with a slot, a pin secured to said plate and extendin through said slot, and a spring interposed between said lever and said plate.

4. A hold-down device comprising a plate pered ends, said lever being also formed formed with upwardly projecting fingers having tapered and bent ends, a lever pivoted on said plate and formed with upward- 1y extending locking elements having tawith a slot, a pin secured to said plate and arranged to extend through said slot in all positions of said lever and to maintain said locking elements between said fingers, and a spring interposed between said lever and said plate for constantly urging said lever in one direction.

5. Securing means for a calculating machine having a base plate formed with an aperture, comprising a supporting member, and means secured to said member and ineluding beveled guide extensions adapted to enter said aperture and to engage opposite walls thereof, and a locking element adapted to engage said aperture and to engage the upper face of the base plate. 7 6. Securing means for a calculating machine having a base plate formed with an aperture, comprising a supporting'membcr, and means secured to said member and including beveled guide extensions adapted to enter said aperture and to engage opposite walls thereof, and a springlatch adapted to cam into said aperture and to engage the upper face of the base plate.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures. EDWIN F. BRITTEN, J R.

LEE R. BROWN. 

